~ capturing my families' memories

GG Grandma Mary Jane

Yesterday, while visiting with distant cousins in Alabama I scanned a photo that indicated it included my great great grandmother, Mary Jane Willis nee Buckner. I have never seen an image of her so this was particularly exciting but it was short lived. Let me explain.

The photo I scanned yesterday is below and the notes indicate that the woman standing to the right of JF is his wife Mary Jane. JF is presumably holding a Bible, and the others in the photo are JF’s half sister Eady Caroline Ballenger nee Willis and her family. (Click to enlarge, then enlarge again). JF, served as minister in many churches in the area where they lived. (In my Mom’s post A Noble Life she’s included much of what we’ve learned about JF.)

Mary Jane was born to John & Nancy Buckner on January 20, 1856 probably near Fayette County, Alabama. She married James Franklin Willis on July 14, 1872 in Fayette County, Alabama. They had six children, my great grandfather Zedic Hamilton “Hamp” Willis was their 5th born.

The family tradition is that her husband, JF, and his family are buried in a family plot at Old Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Fayette County. At one time the cemetery was adjacent to the Mt Lebanon Church, of which JF was a pastor at different times. We have been told by her granddaughter Margie that Mary Jane died when she delivered her last daughter. We have no information on that daughter or when her birth may have occurred however her son, Thomas, was born in 1883. By 1900 JF is listed as widowed in the census.

The above photo is estimated to have been taken about 1900 or 1901 based on the estimate of the ages of the children. Carrie, the smallest child dressed in white, was born October 1899. It does not seem likely that the woman standing by JF is Mary Jane. Upon further inspection I noticed that the woman’s hand is on David’s shoulder. I believe it is more likely that the woman is David’s wife, Judy.

While I’m sad that the image is likely not Mary Jane, I’m still thrilled to have the photo of JF and his half sister’s family. I wonder what the occasion for the photo may have been. Carrie is the only one dressed in white and JF is holding a Bible so I wonder if it was a christening.

Yesterday, cousins Charles & Mammie Burns escorted Mother and me to the back woods where this cemetery is located. It was recently cleaned so it was easy to walk around. A few years ago Charles, at the request of Dexter Willis (JF and MJ’s grandson), purchased a headstone for this family plot and while cleaning the plot they discovered a few very worn headstones, which now are just little nubs of a stone. Here are photos of that area.

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3 thoughts on “GG Grandma Mary Jane”

My father was Javis Hamilton Willis, born May 6, 1908, died Sept 5, 1998, married Easter Estelle Sharit, His father was Thomas Richard Willis and he married Levie Adeline Hawkins. Thomas and Levie are buried at Bethel Baptist Church, Fayette County out from Winfield. Daddy spoke of Uncle Hamp, and Dexter was his cousin.
I would love to get any Willis history you may have. All of Daddy’s siblings have died.

I am looking for the grave of Easter Estelle Sharitt Jarvis. I know where your dad was buried but I find no record of Easter’s burial. Is she also in the Kelley Cemetery in Walker County? My husband is a distant relative to a lot of Sharitt’s. Thanks for your help. Robin Miner

Welcome!

Delving into family stories, documents and photos is what I enjoy! Relative Storyboard: capturing family memories, is my blog where I share and encourage discussion about my findings. Often I only have tidbits of information that I piece together in hopes that one day I'll have a more complete storyboard.
I hope you find something of interest and I need your comments, if you do. So, if you have questions or if we share an ancestor I really want to hear from you. Leave me a comment or contact me at kayzie31 at gmail.com.